Unit 7: Microorganisms in

our Environment
Grade 6 : Food Chain and Food Web
 Warm up
Activity!

TASK 1 : Each group will get one set of organisms. Arrange the
organisms so as to form a food chain.
TASK 2 : Each group will get the following two pictures:
Where will you place the organisms given in your food chain?
TASK 3 : In each food chain label the following:

1. Producer
TROPHIC
2. Herbivore - Primary consumer
LEVELS
3. Carnivore - Secondary consumer
4. Detrivore
5. Decomposer

A trophic level refers to a level or a position in a food chain, a food web

Thinking caps on ! [Notebook work]

1. Why is the food chain unidirectional and irreversible?

2. What are the two/three components common to all the food chains? Give
reasons.
 Answers:
1. The flow of energy in food chain in unidirectional because the Sun is the
only source of energy for all ecosystems on earth. Then the energy is
captured by the autotrophs does not revert back to the sun. Therefore, in
the food chain, the energy moves progressively through various trophic
levels. The energy is no longer available to the previous trophic levels.

2. - Dependency on Solar energy.

- Food chain is completed with decomposition which is facilitated by the

detrivores and the decomposers.
TASK 4 : Choose any three or four of the above food chains and
make connections so as to create a food web.

This can be done on a chart paper and displayed in classroom.

Notebook work - CW

What is a trophic level?

1. Producer
2. Herbivore - Primary consumer
3. Carnivore - Secondary consumer
4. Detrivore
5. Decomposer

A trophic level refers to a level or a position in a food chain, a food web

 Microorganisms in food chain
Solar Energy Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer

Dead
remains s
De in
ad
re ma
rem
ain ad
s De

Earthworms/ Centipede/ millipede (Detrivores)

Microorganisms (Decomposers)
Notebook work - CW
Food chain - It refers to the arrangement of organisms in an ecosystem in the
order of the food they consume.

1. Choose any of the above food chains and draw in your notebook labeling -

Producer, consumer (herbivore, carnivore), detrivore and decomposer.

2. Also mention the predator-prey pair from the food chain that you have chosen.
Food web - It refers to the interconnected food chain in an ecosystem.

ACTIVITY TIME! - Creating a Food Web

Answer
Notebook Activity!

Question - What would happen if detrivore or decomposer (choose one of the

two at a time) is eliminated from the food web? Describe the series of events.
 What will happen if decaying stops?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6V0a_7N1Mw

Detrivores Decomposers

Detrivores are organisms that primarily feed Decomposers are microorganisms (mostly
on dead and decaying organic matter, such bacteria and fungi) that break down organic
as dead plants or animals. matter into simpler substances, like nutrients
and minerals.

They physically break down organic matter They chemically break down the remaining
into smaller pieces, facilitating the organic material, turning it into nutrients that
decomposition process. can be used by plants and other organisms.

E.g: List from the video ________________ E.g: Soil Bacteria, fungi such as mushrooms
etc.
—-------------------------------------------------------
 What is a food chain?

The food chain is a straight sequence of

organisms where nutrients and energy is
transferred from one organism to the
other.
This occurs when one organism
consumes another organism.

The food chain starts with a producer ,

follows the chain and ends with a
decomposer, Food chain shows how
one organism is dependent on another
organism for survival.

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 Links in the food chain
Level 5 Decomposers

Level 4 Consumers 3

Level 3 Consumers 2

Level 2 Consumers 1

Level 1 Producers

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 Producers
The producers in a food chain include all
food making organisms such as
phytoplankton, algae, and green plants.
This is the first stage in a food chain. The
producers make up the first level of a food
chain. The producers use the energy from
the sun to make food. Producers are any
plant or other organisms that produce their
own nutrients through photosynthesis.

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 Consumers Here, herbivores are known as primary
Consumers are all organisms that are consumers and carnivores are secondary
dependent on plants or other organisms consumers. The second trophic level includes
for food. This is the largest part of a food organisms that eat producers. Therefore,
web, as it contains almost all living primary consumers or herbivores are
organisms. It includes herbivores which organisms in the second trophic level.
are animals that eat plants, carnivores
which are animals that eat other animals,
parasites that live on other organisms by
harming them and lastly the scavengers,
which are animals that eat dead animals’
carcasses.

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 Decomposers Decomposers complete a life cycle.
They help in recycling the nutrients
Decomposers are organisms that get as they provide nutrients to soil or
energy from dead or waste organic oceans, that can be utilised by
autotrophs or producers. Thus,
material. This is the last stage in a food
starting a whole new food chain.
chain. Decomposers are an integral part of
a food chain, as they convert organic
waste materials into inorganic materials,
which enriches the soil or land with
nutrients.

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 What is Nutrient Cycle?

Nutrient cycle refers to the cyclic movement of nutrients that occur when animals
and plants consume nutrients found in the soil and then released back into the
environment via death and decomposition.

Nutrient Cycle and Decay : Activity Time

I used to think….. Now I think….
Documentary on the role of Earthworms in Farming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_CkrahxO5A